Goodwill Taps Former HUD Boss As CEO

October 30, 2018 NPT Staff

Former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steven C. Preston will be the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Goodwill Industries International in Rockville, Md. Preston will replace Lorna G. Utley who has served as interim president and CEO since August 2018 upon the resignation of James Gibbons.

Preston’s focus will be building upon GII’s success and impact. Preston will leverage his management experience across the private, public and nonprofit sectors to further advance the organization in its mission of helping individuals and families reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.

“I am grateful and humbled that the board has invited me to join as a partner and leader in advancing Goodwill’s critical mission,” said Preston via a statement. “Millions of people begin their day without the stability, dignity and purpose that employment can provide.” Preston was in charge at HUD in 2008 and 2009. Prior to that he was administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2006 to 2008.

He also was CEO of two privately-owned companies and has held executive leadership roles within several other businesses including Waste Management, ServiceMaster and First Data. He currently is Vice Chair of Liberty Advisor Group.

“Steve has a proven track record of exceptional leadership during his highly successful careers in both the private and public sectors,” said Dale Jenkins, chair of the GII Board of Directors. “He also has a deep personal commitment to serving others that is truly inspirational. I am excited about what this dynamic combination of talent, business acumen, and servant leadership will mean to the future impact of Goodwill.”

Preston has served on the boards of various nonprofits, currently including the Wheaton College Board of Trustees, the Partnership for Public Service, and Sunshine Enterprises. GII is a network of 161 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries.